Long Beach officials christened the new Civic Center on Monday, July 29, a complex comprising a new City Hall and a new headquarters for the Port of Long Beach that the mayor declared “what the future of Long Beach is all about.”

Hundreds of people turn out for the grand opening of the new Long Beach Civic Center on Monday, July 29, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

After the speaker system failed, Mayor Robert Garcia, left, yells to introduce former Mayor Bob Foster in front of the Bob Foster Civic Chambers at the grand opening of the new Long Beach Civic Center on Monday, July 29, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

Mayor Robert Garcia speaks to the hundreds gathered for the grand opening of the new Long Beach Civic Center on Monday, July 29, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

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The new Long Beach Civic Center holds its grand opening on Monday, July 29, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

Visitors view the interior of the Bob Foster Civic Chambers where the city council will meet during the grand opening of the new Long Beach Civic Center on Monday, July 29, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

People pose for photos in front of large Long Beach letters at the grand opening of the new Long Beach Civic Center on Monday, July 29, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

Hundreds of people wait in a security line to get a look at the new Long Beach City Hall on Monday, July 29, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

Visitors take a look at a large video wall inside the new city hall building at the grand opening of the new Long Beach Civic Center on Monday, July 29, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

After the speaker system failed, Former Mayor Bob Foster speaks in front of the Bob Foster Civic Chambers at the grand opening of the new Long Beach Civic Center on Monday, July 29, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

Former Mayor Bob Foster, right, poses for a photo with his grandson, Bob Foster, son Kenny Foster and grandson Ryan Foster inside the Bob Foster Civic Chambers at the grand opening of the new Long Beach Civic Center on Monday, July 29, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

After the speaker system failed, Former Mayor Bob Foster speaks in front of the Bob Foster Civic Chambers at the grand opening of the new Long Beach Civic Center on Monday, July 29, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

Mayor Robert Garcia speaks to the hundreds gathered for the grand opening of the new Long Beach Civic Center on Monday, July 29, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

During his remarks, Mayor Robert Garcia noted that the new 11-story City Hall “represents not only the home of our local democracy, but a symbol of our future.”

The grand unveiling of the gleaming structures, though impressive, included some audio hiccups.

After some absorbing musical acts and an introduction by the city’s Public Works Director Craig Beck, the microphones cut out in the midst of Garcia’s address — prompting him, and nearly every speaker after, to shout their speeches to thousands gathered.

The mayor was unbowed. “This is not going to ruin how great today was,” Garcia said. “We’re not going to let these technical difficulties ruin the celebration.”

The see-through, glass-coated structures, he said, mirrored the city itself.

“These buildings reflect what the future of Long Beach is all about,” Garcia said. “Open, transparent, accessible and inviting to our community.”

Inside, City Hall put a fresh spin on municipal oversight. A 70-by-8-foot media wall in the facility’s lobby showcases art and will also be used to display announcements and livestream City Council meetings.

The second floor, a one-stop shop for residents to obtain permits, is also public-minded.

Hayley Munguia covers Long Beach City Hall for the Southern California News Group. She previously worked as a data reporter for FiveThirtyEight and has written for The Week, the Jerusalem Post and the Austin American-Statesman, among other publications. She's originally from Austin, graduated from NYU and will pet a dog any chance she gets.

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